Jorge Lorenzo on Toprak Razgatlioglu’s switch from Superbike to MotoGP, and what he thinks he is capable of – Dani Pedrosa sees “great moments” ahead
Toprak Razgatlioglu’s official MotoGP debut at the Valencia test in November had been eagerly anticipated. And the three-time and reigning Superbike World Champion immediately impressed in his first encounter with his 2026 fellow riders. Less than 1.3 seconds off the fastest time of the day and P3 among the four Yamaha regulars earned the MotoGP rookie-to-be plenty of praise.
But what will Razgatlioglu be capable of in the 2026 MotoGP season with the brand-new V4 Yamaha? Three-time MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo gives his assessment. “Toprak is probably one of the best Superbike riders of all time,” Lorenzo told MotoGP.com on the sidelines of the MotoGP test in Valencia. “His riding technique is incredible, especially on the brakes,” said Lorenzo, who adds a caveat with a view to 2026: “I don’t think the tires or the Yamaha will allow him to reach his level straight away. The Yamaha is a very stiff motorcycle whose great strength is cornering speed. But Toprak is used to Superbikes.”
Pirelli tires have been used in the Superbike World Championship for years, while Michelin tires have been used in the MotoGP World Championship for years. In 2027, there will be a change. That’s when the Italian and French brands will switch to the other racing series to become the sole supplier of tires for all teams. This means that the Superbike World Championship will use Michelin tires from 2027, while the MotoGP World Championship will use Pirelli tires from 2027.
“Perhaps 2027, with Pirelli and a year of [MotoGP] experience under his belt, will be Toprak’s year,” Lorenzo speculates. However, the Spaniard, who won each of his three MotoGP titles with Yamaha, immediately qualifies this prediction.
Lorenzo speculates about Razgatlioglu and his 2027 season: “Maybe he’ll be able to fight for the top 5 or even the podium in some races. But I don’t think he’ll be at the front for the whole year.”
Razgatlioglu, of course, will be keen to prove Lorenzo wrong. But the Spaniard adds: “I do believe that the level of riding in the Superbike World Championship is lower. That’s obvious to me. Bautista came to Superbikes and suddenly went from victory to victory. As a MotoGP rider, he was good for the top 5, top 7, top 9. But he wasn’t one of the best.”
“Bulega also had some very strong races,” Lorenzo says, referring to the current runner-up in the Superbike World Championship, adding: “The same goes for Ben Spies and Colin Edwards. Yes, they are all very good riders, but MotoGP is simply on another level.”
While Jorge Lorenzo is rather cautious and even critical in his assessment of Toprak Razgatlioglu’s short- and medium-term prospects in the premier class of the Motorcycle World Championship, Lorenzo’s long-time companion and rival Dani Pedrosa is looking forward to Razgatlioglu’s arrival.
“When I see Toprak on the Superbike, he reminds me of Kevin Schwantz,” Pedrosa told MotoGP.com about Razgatlioglou. “He rides so spectacularly and he has so much fun doing it. I think he’s going to provide a lot of great moments. I’m really looking forward to seeing him ride [MotoGP].”
Razgatlioglu has signed with Pramac-Yamaha for his move to the MotoGP stage. However, he is not under contract with the Italian racing team, but directly with the Japanese manufacturer.